ROCHESTER — A two-alarm brush fire burned about an acre behind the Franklin Heights condominiums that officials believed started near an area of abandoned foundations.

Mutual aids from surrounding communities was called to a wooded area off Franklin Street around 3 p.m. Friday, along with paramedics from Frisbie Memorial Hospital, but there were no injuries.

An area officials described to be “loaded” with beer cans, and what appeared to be a local hangout, was extinguished by 30 fire crews.

Franklin Street was shut down for move than hour as manpower from more than four surrounding communities helped rotate shifts and keep the brush fire under control.

“ It was a ground moving fire, one we call a leading edge. It’s pushed by the wind,” Rochester Fire Capt. Mark Avery said.

Avery described seeing a large burned area as he approached the scene soon after been notified by a Franklin Heights resident.

“There are snow patches and muddy areas but the wind dries the surface. It can create an easy place for fire to creep in. Luckily, we found old decrepit water hydrants and water lines from this unfinished foundation area,” he said.

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Higginbotham/Democrat photo
A brush fire about an acre in size spread near an unfinished foundation area behind the Franklin Heights condominiums in Rochester Friday afternoon.

“ If those weren’t there we would need even more manpower to help with the hose,” Avery added.

Forestry fire assistance from Somersworth, Milton, and Dover, were able to get one truck deep into the wooded area to help first responders.

“It’s burning surface; however, these downed trees are pieces of serious fire fuel. In those areas you need to dig underneath so it can break it free and put it completely out,” Avery said.

Avery said the lack of accessibility and apparatus made fighting the blaze difficult.

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Courtesy photo by Paul Dolnier
A number of area fire departments responded to a second-alarm brush fire in Franklin Heights in Rochester Friday afternoon. The second alarm was sounded due to the need for extra manpower and equipment because the fire was in a remote area inaccessible to vehicles.